Story Title: New Love

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with ABC or General Hospital and I do not own any of these characters.

Chapter Title: That's the Way it Is

Song: That's the Way it Is by Celine Dion

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Sitting at a table at the Port Charles grill Brenda can't get Emily's words out of her mind. The words "You've got it bad." still ringing in her head from earlier. "No Brenda, no way." she thinks out loud, not sure who she is trying to convince. "Brenda!" comes an excited cry from the bar. Ned walks over and gives her a hug. "Hey Ned!" Brenda greets him. They sit down and Ned says, "I heard you were back. Can't believe you didn't come see me!" "Well I am staying for a while I knew I'd run into you. I really haven't made it a point to go and announce my return, given the circumstances under which I left." Brenda replies. "Well," Ned begins, "That's not what I've heard." Brenda smirks across the table and then looks into her tea, "And what is it exactly that you've heard?" she asks him taking a drink. "Well I heard you made it a high priority to let Jason know you're here." Ned replies smiling back at her. Brenda nearly chokes on her tea. Ned just laughs.

I can read your mind and I know your story

I see what you're going through

It's an uphill climb, and I'm feeling sorry

But I know it will come to you

Jason walks to Kelly's thinking he'll see Liz there. Though he knows it's closed he is hoping she'll talk to him. He peers inside the window and sees Liz cleaning up. The door is locked so he knocks. This obviously startles Liz who jumps and turns around. "Oh God," she says opening the door for him, "Jason you scared the hell out of me!" "Sorry." he laughs. "What are you doing here anyway?" Liz asks going back to wiping off the table. "Well, umm I was kind of hoping to talk to you." he tells her. "About what?" she says still cleaning the table, "Politics? Sports? Or...the surprising amount of time you've been spending with Brenda since she's been back?" Liz stops and looks at Jason, who tries to look amused though he knows that is exactly what he wants to talk to her about. "Sit down." Liz tells him, "I'll put on some coffee and be right out." He does so.

When life is empty with no tomorrow

And loneliness starts to call

Baby, don't worry, forget your sorrow



'Cause love's gonna conquer it all, all

"So let me guess. You've been talking to Emily ?" Brenda says, trying to come back smoothly from Ned's statement. "Yes I have." he replies, "And it's been interesting let me tell you." Brenda begins nervously stirring her tea, "Well let me be the first to tell you that there is nothing going on between me and Jason, nothing, you know we're just friends. You know what not even friends more like two people who know each other very well, but don't necessarily like each other, or you know what--" "Brenda, Brenda you're rambling that's never a good sign." Ned tells her, "Not with you or Alexis or anyone." Brenda seems thrilled by the mention of a new name, "Alexis. How is Alexis?" Ned just shakes his head, "No nope you can call her or go see her yourself, that's not what we are talking about right now. So what is really going on between you and Jason?" Brenda rolls her eyes, "Nothing, I told you nothing." "Are you sure?" Ned asks giving her an incredulous look. "Yes I'm sure, I'm positive." "Ok I believe you." Ned begins to get up, "But I have to go now I'm meeting Skye and she just walked in. So I will talk to you later." He leans over and kisses Brenda on the cheek, "Goodnight Brenda." "Good night!" she smiles at him and adds on, "Nothing, ok...nothing." Brenda whispers under her breath getting up, "I don't think." She walks off on her way to her hotel room.

That's the way it is

That's the way it is



Don't give up on your faith



Love comes to those who believe it



And that's the way it is.

"So how are you doing with you know this whole Carly/Ric situation?" Jason asks trying to change the subject to anything other than Brenda or himself. "Well, I'm doing okay considering," Elizabeth replies, "But that's not what we are here to talk about." "Right." Jason half heartedly replies. "So..." Liz questions. "So what?" Jason asks. "Well you know what I can't help you if you don't tell me." Liz says, "Do you have feelings for Brenda, more than a friend?" Jason opens his mouth to reply but soon stops himself and just looks down at his coffee and begins stirring it nervously. "Oh my God, you do don't you?" Liz asks. "No, or God...Liz I don't know!" Jason replies frustrated. "Okay, okay do you think it's at least a possibility?" she continues. Jason looks at her trying not to smile, "I don't know. Maybe." "Well there you go. If you've got a maybe, Jason there has got to be even a little something there.", she checks her watch, "Oh God Jase, it's nearly midnight I have to get home." "Yeah, m-me too. Hey do you want to go for a ride?" He replies. "Of course." Liz answers. They both get up and he kisses her on the cheek, "Thanks." "For what?" Liz asks. "For talking to me, you know for being my friend." he tells her. She smiles at him and they head out the door.

When you question me for a simple answer

I don't know what to say, no

But it's plain to see, if you stick together



You're gonna find a way, yeah

Brenda is milling around her room thinking about her conversation with Ned. She seems unable to come to a conclusion so she climbs into bed.

When you want it the most there's no easy way out



When you're ready to go and your heart's left in doubt

Not even 5 minutes after Jason enters his apartment thinking about what Liz had said, he smiles and heads back out the door.

Don't give up on your faith

Love comes to those who believe it



And that's the way it is